Taking Care of Your Summer Holidays

Whether you’re going on a family holiday to a UK hideaway, or jetting off somewhere more exotic, we are here with tips and advice to help you and your family stay well.

From flight socks and insect repellents, to our Solero sun cream range and first aid kits, we have all the travel and holiday essentials you and your family may need for your trip.

Vaccinations

It’s important to make sure you have the appropriate vaccinations for your trip, particularly if you’re travelling through tropical or developing regions, such as Africa, Asia or South America.

With our Travel Vaccination Service, you can use our FREE online vaccine checker to help determine what preventive care you will need for your travel destination.

Then simply book an appointment with one of our tailored services, LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor or MASTA Travel Health to be prescribed the correct treatments. We provide a range of vaccinations for all over the world to ensure you have the right protection.

Mosquitoes

Here’s everything you need to know:

Mosquitoes are everywhere. They thrive in humid conditions, but they can bite outdoors and indoors.

You are most at risk of being bitten between sunset and sunrise. Although some mosquitoes are active throughout the day.

Wear repellent! Apply repellent by spraying a thin layer over the skin. Do not apply like a perfume. Pay particular attention to ankles, feet, wrists and hands.

Don’t leave hotel windows or doors open when out in the evening. If you do, make sure you pull across screens or netting. If not, sleep under a mosquito net and wear repellent.

If you do get bitten, try not to itch! Itching can cause infections and further irritation. Try placing a cold compress over the bite to reduce swelling.Top Tip for Parents: Keep children’s fingernails short and clean to avoid itching and infection

Protecting you from Malaria:

Malaria is a disease spread by mosquito bites. There can be a risk in tropical regions such as Africa, Asia or South America, however it’s important to check the destination you are travelling to.

Maloff Protect, an anti-malarial medication, is available online or from your local LloydsPharmacy. It’s available in packs of 24 or 36 tablets to suit the length of your trip, but this medication is not suitable for all destinations so check it’s right for your travels.

Heat exhaustion

Heat exhaustions and heat stroke usually occur in a heat wave or very hot climates. You can also be affected when doing strenuous exercise or activity. Heat exhaustion can develop quickly or gradually over a few hours.

Heat exhaustion is when your body becomes very hot and it starts to lose water and salt from your body leading to generally feeling unwell including the following symptoms.

How to treat it:

Cool the skin using cold compresses (sponge or flannels) or cold packs around your neck or armpits

Drink lots of water to re-hydrate

Most people should start to recover within 30 minutes.

Heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke. Heatstroke is when your body isn’t able to cool itself down and your body has a very high temperature. Heatstroke is less common but can be serious. If heatstroke is severe it may require hospital treatment. If this person suffering does not respond to treatment or has severe symptoms you should call 999.

Essential holiday packing

Whether you are going to Cornwall or Cambodia, somehow we always manage to forget something! That’s why we have put together a checklist you can print off so you don’t forget any of the essentials to make sure your holiday gets off to a great start.